Left-hand pattern · Pop heartbeat
Skipping-stone pulse
One strong note, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. Musicians call it root bass on beats 1, 2&, 3&.
Want to mix it with other hands?
How Skipping-stone pulse goes
One bar over a C chord: a row for each key, a column for each step, the finger on each note. Over another chord, move the same shape to its root.
Root bass rhythm: Just the lowest note, played in a rhythm you can dance to.
Songs with Skipping-stone pulse
Each one opens with this pattern in its player.
Often comes next
The patterns songs move to after Skipping-stone pulse, from verse to chorus.
More heartbeats
All patternsQuestions about Skipping-stone pulse
What is Skipping-stone pulse on piano?
One strong note, then two bounces on the “ands”, like a stone on water. Musicians call it root bass on beats 1, 2&, 3&, one of the root bass rhythm patterns: just the lowest note, played in a rhythm you can dance to.
How do I play root bass · 1 · 2& · 3& with the left hand?
Over C major it is C3 (5), then C3 (5), then C3 (5); the number after each note is the finger (1 is the thumb). Over any other chord, move the same shape to that chord's root.
What songs use Skipping-stone pulse?
It is heard in 282 songs of the library, as the main groove of 48 songs, such as Happy, See You Again, ’round Midnight, Fire.
Is Skipping-stone pulse easy?
It is an easy pattern, in 4/4, usually around 106 beats a minute.